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Mon-El #1
Superman: Mon-El, Vol. 1
With Superman now living on another planet in the wake of NEW KRYPTON, it’s up to his old friend Mon-El to protect Metropolis. Following the startling events of NEW KRYPTON, Earth finds itself without Superman. Luckily, Metropolis still has heroes like Mon-El and the Guardian. But after years of knowing nothing but the solitude of the Phantom Zone, how will Mon-El acclimate himself to society? And the recently returned Guardian has his hands full with his new position in the Science Police. How can they fill Superman’s boots?
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
About the author
James Robinson
1,303 books240 followersJames Dale Robinson is a British writer of American comic books and screenplays.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 1, 2013
It was the last great pre-TheNew52 Superman storyline. It was supposed to entertain and enlighten and energize the Superman books for years to come. It was one of the most massive, interconnected tales of Kal-El ever told.
And I thoroughly enjoyed it.
And I think I was one of the few who did.
And that is a complete shame.
Superman New Krypton is a storyline that takes place over almost two years worth of Superman, Action Comics, Supergirl, Superboy, World of New Krypton, Adventure Comics and various one shots and mini-series. One of the slight modifications after Infinite Crisis to the mythos was opening the floodgates to plenty of other Kryptonians being alive and well, and this concept became a tidal wave when Superman faced off against Brainiac for the “first” time and freed the kidnapped bottled city of Kandor.
In all classic and neo-modern versions of this tale, these fellow Kryptonians become jolly good friends of Superman and benevolent helpers to him. Those stores would always bore me to tears. Even when they enlarged and got their own planet, I couldn’t have cared less.
This time, this contemporary version, they range from arrogant to somewhat ungrateful to outright hostile to all sorts inbetween. It is made abundantly clear that one of the points of New Krypton is that a great part of makes Superman “Super” is the parentage of Ma and the now late Pa Kent. Early on the now powered up Kandorians relish “their” new planet, and view the current inhabitants, namely us humans, as like pets. The part with the whale illustrates this dichotomy so precisely, it is downright prescient of what future troubles are brewing.
Tensions immediately escalate when Lois’s presumed dead father, General Lane, enacts Project 7734, with the goal of fulfilling his genocidal hatred of all things Superman. Plots within plots within plots, each met with large body counts, becomes the constant theme here. Anyone and anything that gets in the way of eliminating these filthy aliens must be abolished. The massacres the Kandorians have to endure, and their counter measures to ensure their safety, cause global tensions and bring about a huge cadre of superheroes to sort the situation out.
At this point the preamble is done, the Kandorians see the welcome mat yanked away, which makes them launch their city off into space, create a crystalline planet for themselves, and take up orbit on the far side of the sun. Goodbye you crazy humans!
At this point, Kal is still trying to fix all the myriad problems that have come about here, and so with a heavy heart he talks to wife Lois and mother Martha and goes off to outer space and New Krypton.
The stage is set and the players are now in place.
Kal-El is now world building, society changing and evil plot solving in the World of New Krypton comic by James Robinson, Greg Rucka and Pete Woods. Guest stars like Green Lantern, Adam Strange and Jemm pop up here because of the new galactic power this planet represents. We also see the creators reinvent Krypton by incorporating as many different previous versions as possible, and somehow keeping internal logic. Kal learning about how things work here does not make him a happy Superman, and brings out the social revolutionary in him.
Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, new protectors have emerged in the Superman comic, by James Robinson and Renato Geudes. Through a series of flukes, Mon-El has been plucked from the Phantom Zone and managed to be cured, while another clone of the golden age hero The Guardian has come to town. These two bring truth and justice and subplots galore here every month.
But what of all the subterfuge between the two planets? Action Comics by Greg Rucka and various artists plays with this concept by showcasing the hunt for Kryptonian infiltrators by Nightwing and Flamebird. This crime fighting duo, and potential couple, are also Kryptonians and fighting against the evil General Zod’s plans for Earth.
The tale of someone genuinely torn between the two worlds is in the Supergirl comic, by Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle. Whether she is on New Krypton endlessly arguing with her mother – and leader of Kandor, or learning about humanity while living with Lana Lang back on Earth, Supergirl is constantly challenged. She is also subjected to relentless yellow journalism by Daily Planet gossip hound Cat Grant, trying on the secret identity of Linda Lang, and recovering from Kryptonite poisoning, which by the way, is a brilliant pot device to fix the many many problems plaguing the character over the years. Supergirl 43 is the absolute best of this series, featuring her birthday and choosing a guild.
Joining in on the fun is Adventure Comics, by Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul. Starting with Superboy slowly becoming a part of everything, the series than evolves into telling the tale of how the time travelling Legion of Super Heroes are involved with this crisis.
Along the way with this sweeping storyline, we get some one shots giving us the journey of Jimmy Olsen as he investigates General Lane, and another one shot at a critical junction of everything. A personal favourite is the World’s Finest miniseries, by Sterling Gates and various artists, which has several very important plot developments. But the real reason this is a classic part of New Krypton is that these four issues have a literal whackload of Superman and Batman supporting characters teaming up, arguing, bantering, and just giving us readers a grand old adventure. Come on, Guardian and Robin Damian taking on Mr Freeze and the Parasite, what more can you ask for?
The only downside to this undertaking is the midway point. You can tell the gears behind the scenes were being shifted slightly, with some ideas, like Mon-El’s powers or what to do with Guardian’s “kid”, becoming increasing sidelined. By the time of the epic ending with The Last Stand of New Krypton comic, you can feel the lethargy kicking in. This is not to say the conclusion, which reaches its final crescendo with the War Of The Supermen mini-series, was not good and gripping and emotional, but it is obvious the fatigue from creating all those stories had taken it’s toll.
Afterall, besides everything I have mentioned, New Krypton also stars Lois Lane on a quest for the truth about her father, Perry White trying to guide her, Lex Luther being the master manipulator, Atlas being a brute, Steel helping out in Metropolis, the Creature Commandos making a comeback, Reactron being a ruthless murderer, Doomsday terrorizing everyone, Captain Atom playing a role, Daxam history getting re-explained, Codename: Assassin getting a dust-off, Silver Banshee giving a shout out, Insect Queen crawling about, Rao gaining new followers, and a partridge in a pear tree. With all this, and so much more, is it any wonder that everyone involved probably needed a nice long vacation when it was all said and done?
One issue that was present from the start, as related in interviews by writer Greg Rucka, is that New Krypton was very much behind schedule right from inception. Playing catch-up was always a present concern for all creators, who all want to do their best, but are facing a super deadline looming before them.
Because of this rushed nature of the series, and despite the promotional push from DC Comics, fans seemed slightly jaded before New Krypton even began. I myself got every issue, but only read them all last month. Because of this malaise, I firmly believe sales of the entire storyline were far below expectations, which is most likely why virtually all aspects of it were promptly ignored as soon as it ended. And this failure was also the most probable reason why the major surgery was committed on Superman’s history with The New 52 Relaunch. Think about it, this massive sweeping tale of epic proportions with far reaching ramifications vanishes from continuity a year later? Such a shame.
Everyone has a favourite Superman. Mine is the From Crisis To Crisis era. This storyline, with a nip and tuck and a bit of mental rewiring, can still fit somewhat gently into that beloved version of the Man of Steel. Yes, some leaps are harder to take than others, and I am looking at you Lucy Lane, but so many of the basic concepts are still present and accounted for.
So many thoughts and ideas are expressed here. The Clark Kent of Ma and Pa Kent faces off against the Kal-El of Krypton, nature versus nurture on a planetary scale. Earth and New Krypton on a collision course caused by madmen, people who know nothing of what Superman stands for. All this encompassing something like 150 comics in total.
A Super tale for a Superman.
And I thoroughly enjoyed it.
And I think I was one of the few who did.
And that is a complete shame.
Superman New Krypton is a storyline that takes place over almost two years worth of Superman, Action Comics, Supergirl, Superboy, World of New Krypton, Adventure Comics and various one shots and mini-series. One of the slight modifications after Infinite Crisis to the mythos was opening the floodgates to plenty of other Kryptonians being alive and well, and this concept became a tidal wave when Superman faced off against Brainiac for the “first” time and freed the kidnapped bottled city of Kandor.
In all classic and neo-modern versions of this tale, these fellow Kryptonians become jolly good friends of Superman and benevolent helpers to him. Those stores would always bore me to tears. Even when they enlarged and got their own planet, I couldn’t have cared less.
This time, this contemporary version, they range from arrogant to somewhat ungrateful to outright hostile to all sorts inbetween. It is made abundantly clear that one of the points of New Krypton is that a great part of makes Superman “Super” is the parentage of Ma and the now late Pa Kent. Early on the now powered up Kandorians relish “their” new planet, and view the current inhabitants, namely us humans, as like pets. The part with the whale illustrates this dichotomy so precisely, it is downright prescient of what future troubles are brewing.
Tensions immediately escalate when Lois’s presumed dead father, General Lane, enacts Project 7734, with the goal of fulfilling his genocidal hatred of all things Superman. Plots within plots within plots, each met with large body counts, becomes the constant theme here. Anyone and anything that gets in the way of eliminating these filthy aliens must be abolished. The massacres the Kandorians have to endure, and their counter measures to ensure their safety, cause global tensions and bring about a huge cadre of superheroes to sort the situation out.
At this point the preamble is done, the Kandorians see the welcome mat yanked away, which makes them launch their city off into space, create a crystalline planet for themselves, and take up orbit on the far side of the sun. Goodbye you crazy humans!
At this point, Kal is still trying to fix all the myriad problems that have come about here, and so with a heavy heart he talks to wife Lois and mother Martha and goes off to outer space and New Krypton.
The stage is set and the players are now in place.
Kal-El is now world building, society changing and evil plot solving in the World of New Krypton comic by James Robinson, Greg Rucka and Pete Woods. Guest stars like Green Lantern, Adam Strange and Jemm pop up here because of the new galactic power this planet represents. We also see the creators reinvent Krypton by incorporating as many different previous versions as possible, and somehow keeping internal logic. Kal learning about how things work here does not make him a happy Superman, and brings out the social revolutionary in him.
Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, new protectors have emerged in the Superman comic, by James Robinson and Renato Geudes. Through a series of flukes, Mon-El has been plucked from the Phantom Zone and managed to be cured, while another clone of the golden age hero The Guardian has come to town. These two bring truth and justice and subplots galore here every month.
But what of all the subterfuge between the two planets? Action Comics by Greg Rucka and various artists plays with this concept by showcasing the hunt for Kryptonian infiltrators by Nightwing and Flamebird. This crime fighting duo, and potential couple, are also Kryptonians and fighting against the evil General Zod’s plans for Earth.
The tale of someone genuinely torn between the two worlds is in the Supergirl comic, by Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle. Whether she is on New Krypton endlessly arguing with her mother – and leader of Kandor, or learning about humanity while living with Lana Lang back on Earth, Supergirl is constantly challenged. She is also subjected to relentless yellow journalism by Daily Planet gossip hound Cat Grant, trying on the secret identity of Linda Lang, and recovering from Kryptonite poisoning, which by the way, is a brilliant pot device to fix the many many problems plaguing the character over the years. Supergirl 43 is the absolute best of this series, featuring her birthday and choosing a guild.
Joining in on the fun is Adventure Comics, by Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul. Starting with Superboy slowly becoming a part of everything, the series than evolves into telling the tale of how the time travelling Legion of Super Heroes are involved with this crisis.
Along the way with this sweeping storyline, we get some one shots giving us the journey of Jimmy Olsen as he investigates General Lane, and another one shot at a critical junction of everything. A personal favourite is the World’s Finest miniseries, by Sterling Gates and various artists, which has several very important plot developments. But the real reason this is a classic part of New Krypton is that these four issues have a literal whackload of Superman and Batman supporting characters teaming up, arguing, bantering, and just giving us readers a grand old adventure. Come on, Guardian and Robin Damian taking on Mr Freeze and the Parasite, what more can you ask for?
The only downside to this undertaking is the midway point. You can tell the gears behind the scenes were being shifted slightly, with some ideas, like Mon-El’s powers or what to do with Guardian’s “kid”, becoming increasing sidelined. By the time of the epic ending with The Last Stand of New Krypton comic, you can feel the lethargy kicking in. This is not to say the conclusion, which reaches its final crescendo with the War Of The Supermen mini-series, was not good and gripping and emotional, but it is obvious the fatigue from creating all those stories had taken it’s toll.
Afterall, besides everything I have mentioned, New Krypton also stars Lois Lane on a quest for the truth about her father, Perry White trying to guide her, Lex Luther being the master manipulator, Atlas being a brute, Steel helping out in Metropolis, the Creature Commandos making a comeback, Reactron being a ruthless murderer, Doomsday terrorizing everyone, Captain Atom playing a role, Daxam history getting re-explained, Codename: Assassin getting a dust-off, Silver Banshee giving a shout out, Insect Queen crawling about, Rao gaining new followers, and a partridge in a pear tree. With all this, and so much more, is it any wonder that everyone involved probably needed a nice long vacation when it was all said and done?
One issue that was present from the start, as related in interviews by writer Greg Rucka, is that New Krypton was very much behind schedule right from inception. Playing catch-up was always a present concern for all creators, who all want to do their best, but are facing a super deadline looming before them.
Because of this rushed nature of the series, and despite the promotional push from DC Comics, fans seemed slightly jaded before New Krypton even began. I myself got every issue, but only read them all last month. Because of this malaise, I firmly believe sales of the entire storyline were far below expectations, which is most likely why virtually all aspects of it were promptly ignored as soon as it ended. And this failure was also the most probable reason why the major surgery was committed on Superman’s history with The New 52 Relaunch. Think about it, this massive sweeping tale of epic proportions with far reaching ramifications vanishes from continuity a year later? Such a shame.
Everyone has a favourite Superman. Mine is the From Crisis To Crisis era. This storyline, with a nip and tuck and a bit of mental rewiring, can still fit somewhat gently into that beloved version of the Man of Steel. Yes, some leaps are harder to take than others, and I am looking at you Lucy Lane, but so many of the basic concepts are still present and accounted for.
So many thoughts and ideas are expressed here. The Clark Kent of Ma and Pa Kent faces off against the Kal-El of Krypton, nature versus nurture on a planetary scale. Earth and New Krypton on a collision course caused by madmen, people who know nothing of what Superman stands for. All this encompassing something like 150 comics in total.
A Super tale for a Superman.
May 29, 2021
Aggressively fine.
December 30, 2014
Mon-El Volume 1 fills in the gaps of the New Krypton story arc during Superman's extended abscence from Earth.
Having never heard of Mon-El before reading this, I had to do a little research which really did help to understand the character a little more. But here's a brief rundown
Mon-El was born with the name Lar Gand, the offspring of a human male and a Daxamite female who had visited Earth during the height of the Maya culture. He was born on Daxam but left to explore the stars and eventually made his way to Earth where he met Kal-El.
Being half-Daxamite, Lar exhibited the same power set gifted to a Kryptonian under Earth's yellow sun and Superman took him for one of his people, giving him the Kryptonian name Mon-El.
For all his powers, Mon-El finds the lead in Earth's atmosphere highly toxic and in an attempt to save his life Superman sends him to the perceived safety of the Phantom Zone.
And now we're up to speed... After the release of General Zod by the citizens of New Krypton, the Zone begins to collapse in on itself and Mon-El has no choice but to escape to Earth where he is seemingly cured by a drink mysteriously left for him by the Legion of Superheroes.
When Superman makes the decision to leave Earth and stay on New Krypton for a while, he tasks Mon-El with the protection of Metropolis and it's citizens.
Mon-El Volume 1 follows the characters journey to make a life for himself and establish himself both as the costumed crime-fighter Mon-El and by a civilian identity I won't reveal as it was a very touching scene.
It was fun to see the protection of Metropolis and the indeed the planet Earth through a fresh pair of eyes. The book really portrays Mon-El's almost childlike exploration of Earth's cultures and really does a great job of endearing you to the character.
Having never heard of Mon-El before reading this, I had to do a little research which really did help to understand the character a little more. But here's a brief rundown
Mon-El was born with the name Lar Gand, the offspring of a human male and a Daxamite female who had visited Earth during the height of the Maya culture. He was born on Daxam but left to explore the stars and eventually made his way to Earth where he met Kal-El.
Being half-Daxamite, Lar exhibited the same power set gifted to a Kryptonian under Earth's yellow sun and Superman took him for one of his people, giving him the Kryptonian name Mon-El.
For all his powers, Mon-El finds the lead in Earth's atmosphere highly toxic and in an attempt to save his life Superman sends him to the perceived safety of the Phantom Zone.
And now we're up to speed... After the release of General Zod by the citizens of New Krypton, the Zone begins to collapse in on itself and Mon-El has no choice but to escape to Earth where he is seemingly cured by a drink mysteriously left for him by the Legion of Superheroes.
When Superman makes the decision to leave Earth and stay on New Krypton for a while, he tasks Mon-El with the protection of Metropolis and it's citizens.
Mon-El Volume 1 follows the characters journey to make a life for himself and establish himself both as the costumed crime-fighter Mon-El and by a civilian identity I won't reveal as it was a very touching scene.
It was fun to see the protection of Metropolis and the indeed the planet Earth through a fresh pair of eyes. The book really portrays Mon-El's almost childlike exploration of Earth's cultures and really does a great job of endearing you to the character.
May 10, 2014
James Robinson injects his trademark humanity into yet another set of DC characters for this New Krypton storyline. Eventual Legionnaire and Daxamite powerhouse Lar Gand first encountered a young Clark Kent back on the Smallville farm. While finally giving the boy an equal, an accidental brush with lead forced Gand into the Phantom Zone to arrest his fatal reaction to the metal. A deteriorating Phantom Zone and a mysterious cure for the lead poisoning allow Gand to once again walk the Earth. Appointed as Metropolis's new protector while Superman investigates New Krypton, Gand retakes his adopted name of Mon-El - and a human guise of Jonathan Kent - to aid Guardian and the Science police in defending the city. What makes this volume work is Robinson's treatment of both Mon-El and Guardian; both outcasts are fleshed out with their attempts to become more human. Gand traverses the globe and battles superhuman threats, but stops to explore the human wonders offered in each country. Guardian, despite being a clone, puts himself front and center to defend Metropolis while carrying the weight of being a single father. These glimpses of the men behind the masks (or lack thereof) is what truly makes this volume an excellent read.
March 20, 2011
For a character that has been around 50 years Mon-El is on his third, or is it fourth, reboot. This version harkens back more the original version of Lar Grand of the planet Daxam. While Superman is on New Krypton Mon-El has promised to be Metropolis's guardian. James Robinson's writing finally seems to tightening up, in comparison to his work on Superman.
What was best was some of the throwaway bits by Robinson. Mon-El meets heroes throughout the world when he decides to tour the world to check stuff on his bucket list (he is dying of lead poisoning). The page devoted to Jim Harper and Kimyo as single parents sharing a day in the park with their children. was well done. I appreciated the attempt taken at deepening the characterization of the supporting members of the cast, especially the police department personnel.
What was best was some of the throwaway bits by Robinson. Mon-El meets heroes throughout the world when he decides to tour the world to check stuff on his bucket list (he is dying of lead poisoning). The page devoted to Jim Harper and Kimyo as single parents sharing a day in the park with their children. was well done. I appreciated the attempt taken at deepening the characterization of the supporting members of the cast, especially the police department personnel.
September 5, 2025
Ya lo he comentado en varias ocasiones pero si es la primera vez que alguien me está leyendo debo decir que soy un gran fan de la Legion of Superheroes. Tengo algunos años haciendo lecturas de historias que no conocía y relecturas de algunas que he hice hace ya bastante tiempo. El caso es que releyendo las historias de lo que los fanes llamamos Threeboot se me antojó releer el run de James Robinson al frente de Mon-El en los títulos de Superman. En su momento me había gustado mucho y jamás lo había vuelto a tocar. Ahora que lo estoy haciendo debo decir que quizás está siendo mejor que como lo recordaba.
En los números que vienen incluidos en este compilado tenemos una historia donde James Robinson ha "humanizado" a Mon-El, un chico de unos veintitantos años que ha pasado gran parte de su vida encerrado en la Phantom Zone y que no conoce nada de la vida en la Tierra. Para acabar de complicar las cosas se entera que la cura que le otorgaron para vencer su envenenamiento por plomo no funciona al cien por ciento, así que en realidad no sabe cuanto tiempo de vida le queda y entonces ha decidido aprovechar su tiempo al máximo, viajando por todo el mundo, probando comidas desconocidas para el o visitando museos e incluso algo que me dio mucha risa y ternura. Se dio su primer beso con una súper heroína rusa. Todo esto combinándolo con su identidad secreta de Jonathan Kent y su trabajo como policía en Metropolis a cargo de nada mas y nada menos que Guardian. Y ese es otro detalle que no recordaba pero que también me está gustando mucho. James Robinson decidió darle como reparto de soporte a varios otros súper héroes, desde el ya mencionado Guardian, pasando por Steel e incluso Tellus y Dr. Light. Y los que me conocen saben que una de las cosas que mas disfruto en mis lecturas es el hecho de que los personajes de soporte tengan vida propia no nada mas estén de adorno sino que logres involucrarte con ellos. Y todo esto lo vemos en unos cuantos números.
A diferencia de lo que pasaba en por ejemplo en Supergirl siento que este compilado si es muy amigable y, aunque no tengas el bagaje que tengo yo lo puedes disfrutar bastante. Obvio está involucrada una historia mayor (New Krypton) pero aún así me da la impresión de que cualquiera lo puede disfrutar sin tanto problema.
En los números que vienen incluidos en este compilado tenemos una historia donde James Robinson ha "humanizado" a Mon-El, un chico de unos veintitantos años que ha pasado gran parte de su vida encerrado en la Phantom Zone y que no conoce nada de la vida en la Tierra. Para acabar de complicar las cosas se entera que la cura que le otorgaron para vencer su envenenamiento por plomo no funciona al cien por ciento, así que en realidad no sabe cuanto tiempo de vida le queda y entonces ha decidido aprovechar su tiempo al máximo, viajando por todo el mundo, probando comidas desconocidas para el o visitando museos e incluso algo que me dio mucha risa y ternura. Se dio su primer beso con una súper heroína rusa. Todo esto combinándolo con su identidad secreta de Jonathan Kent y su trabajo como policía en Metropolis a cargo de nada mas y nada menos que Guardian. Y ese es otro detalle que no recordaba pero que también me está gustando mucho. James Robinson decidió darle como reparto de soporte a varios otros súper héroes, desde el ya mencionado Guardian, pasando por Steel e incluso Tellus y Dr. Light. Y los que me conocen saben que una de las cosas que mas disfruto en mis lecturas es el hecho de que los personajes de soporte tengan vida propia no nada mas estén de adorno sino que logres involucrarte con ellos. Y todo esto lo vemos en unos cuantos números.
A diferencia de lo que pasaba en por ejemplo en Supergirl siento que este compilado si es muy amigable y, aunque no tengas el bagaje que tengo yo lo puedes disfrutar bastante. Obvio está involucrada una historia mayor (New Krypton) pero aún así me da la impresión de que cualquiera lo puede disfrutar sin tanto problema.
April 5, 2018
I was warned when I was picking up the New Krypton books, mostly free copies from softball teammates, that the story was just okay - the New Krypton/Superman stuff decent, but the Mon-El/Nightwing & Flamebird stuff absolutely terrible. This book isn't terrible. But it's not good either.
It's too slow and too unfocused. Robinson's trying to juggle Mon-El, Steel, Guardian, the government conspiracy and Codename: Assassin's connection to Guardian, Guardian's grand-niece and daughter, and some vague Legion connection via Tellus (oh, and Ion appeared also). And it's just pulling in a few too many directions. In Starman, Robinson was able to weave together a large cast because he built them up over a few years - here, he's skipping the build-up and jumping straight into the ensemble, and the characters are getting short-changed. It's not terrible, but it's not memorable either.
It's too slow and too unfocused. Robinson's trying to juggle Mon-El, Steel, Guardian, the government conspiracy and Codename: Assassin's connection to Guardian, Guardian's grand-niece and daughter, and some vague Legion connection via Tellus (oh, and Ion appeared also). And it's just pulling in a few too many directions. In Starman, Robinson was able to weave together a large cast because he built them up over a few years - here, he's skipping the build-up and jumping straight into the ensemble, and the characters are getting short-changed. It's not terrible, but it's not memorable either.
July 26, 2025
I wasn't sure what to expect here, A Superman book not starring Superman, replaced by characters I have no real affinity for. But the story was decent and Mon-El was likeable and Guardian is less generic than I expected. While I still think the idea of Clark leaving Earth (and his family) behind is off, the story of Mon-El looking after Metropolis entertained. I wanted more fish out of water elements and there was way too many random characters showing up (and out of Metropolis) than we needed. There is still the mystery of General Lane and his shenanigans that's a little too slow burn. Atlas story was meh. Wanted more Parasite, Lois, & Jimmy. The art was good here though. Overall, this will not appeal to some and I get that but I enjoyed it despite its flaws.
May 6, 2018
This was a surprise for me, in that I didn't know anything about this side of the Superman mythology - it passed me by, and must have been swallowed up in all the New 52 hype. It was also a surprise as I really wouldn't have thought to enjoy a book about Kandorians and all that piffle. Luckily there's a lot going on, mostly successful (the TV journalist who just changes his mind and shuts up must stand as a weak link). What's also weak is the way this book just gets a head of steam up - then stops. No sign there was a sequel or any advice about where to read on next. Still, while it lasted this was more fun than I thought to have.
July 25, 2017
So this is where New Krypton drags for me. This volume follows The Guardian and Steel as well as Mon El. All of these story lines really seem to just float in and out of the overall story. The events that happen in this volume are entertaining but fall flat at times and doesn't grip you that much until near the end of the book.
July 31, 2025
A decent start, but such a start that its actually hard to ascertain. Additionally, there's actually a lot of New Krypton stuff and I wish there was more Mon-El. Which sounds weird but I kind of came to read about Mon-El.
December 15, 2017
Good. Just Good
February 18, 2021
Not a lot of Superman for obvious reasons but also the story kind of jumped around a lot.
January 6, 2017
This book takes place right before the New 52, which is when everything went to s**t in my opinion! So, this is actually a pretty good book because it takes a character that many of us don't know...and certainly don't care about and somehow it makes it pretty good.
Not only that, but many of the more recent Superman stories are not edited or put together very well, yet this one is.
There's very little in this book that has to do with the Legion of Superheroes and so it's easy to follow.
The New Krypton stuff is wonky, but I think the absence of Superman makes it all the more interesting as Mon-El and Guardian have to both step up as protectors.
I'm interested in reading the next volume.
Not only that, but many of the more recent Superman stories are not edited or put together very well, yet this one is.
There's very little in this book that has to do with the Legion of Superheroes and so it's easy to follow.
The New Krypton stuff is wonky, but I think the absence of Superman makes it all the more interesting as Mon-El and Guardian have to both step up as protectors.
I'm interested in reading the next volume.
November 3, 2011
This is a good continuation of the New Krypton storyline. Superman now has to play the role of diplomat to a nation of Kryptonians who are not as peaceful as he believed, and who have formed a new planet on the other side of the sun, a constant presence and reminder that they can, at will, attack the Earth if they so choose.
In the meantime, the Phantom Zone is collapsing, and Mon-El--Kal-El's childhood friend--is trapped until Superman pulls him free. Now he takes Superman's place on Earth while Superman visits New Krypton as an ambassador and spy. General Zod is there and "reformed," but Superman will not believe such a thing is possible.
In the meantime, the Phantom Zone is collapsing, and Mon-El--Kal-El's childhood friend--is trapped until Superman pulls him free. Now he takes Superman's place on Earth while Superman visits New Krypton as an ambassador and spy. General Zod is there and "reformed," but Superman will not believe such a thing is possible.
February 22, 2016
This did do a little jumping around, but as a whole I really liked it. I've known of Mon-El, but this is really the first story I've read about him. I think he'll really add something to the Superman family. I liked that they established a secret identity, and thought it was a good move making him one of the science cops. It helps to make him different from Superman. Interesting story. I'd definitely read more Mon-El solo stuff.
October 3, 2010
This was an ok read, with some good stories. The reason I didn't give it a higher rating is that the art was a little lacking.
My favorite issue is the one where Mon-El decided that he wanted to live and was going sight-seeing all over the world.
My favorite issue is the one where Mon-El decided that he wanted to live and was going sight-seeing all over the world.
August 19, 2012
I prefer to think that this dreck was authored by a different James Robinson than the man responsible for the singularly magnificent "Starman" of times past. Then again, a man can have only one masterpiece, meaning everything else he's done must pale by comparison.
December 9, 2013
a decent companion to the New Krypton series that shows some of what was going on on Earth while Supes was visiting New Krypton. Unfortunately these stories don't quite hang together well enough on their own, but they do give readers some information about Mon-El
June 1, 2011
Library copy. James Robinson is probably the most verbose writer in comics.
June 2, 2012
It was a very decent book series, and Mon-El makes a much better replacement for Superman then the last time they tried this.
October 17, 2011
Eh, it was okay, but since I've never heard of Mon-El before I had to wonder a lot why I was reading it. I just didn't really connect to the story.
July 3, 2014
This was totally pointless.
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